Bike Thomson

Friction Paste

David — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:59:51 +0000

We started shipping X2 Road stems with Finish Line Friction Paste 2 weeks ago. We do think using friction paste on a Road or Cyclocross handlebar is a good idea. You do not need friction paste on a Mountain Bike handlebar.

We are not selling friction paste so if you need some just get that from your local bike shop.

Where to Buy

David — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:38:51 +0000

We regularly get questions about Where to Buy our parts. For riders the answer is the local bike shop. Even if your local bike shop does not have the exact size and color item you want, 95% of shops in America are no more than 2 shipping days from one of our distributors. If you shop online we strongly recommend that you buy from an online vendor with full contact information: name, physical address, phone number. We do not sell any items directly, but again your local shop can get you the part, help make sure you buy the right size part, and help with installation. If you are not someone who would change the oil in your car, please consider letting the shop install your Thomson parts.

Counterfeit Thomson

David — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:21:11 +0000

We discovered a counterfeit Thomson Stem on eBay recently. The seller took the auction down when we pointed the issue out. However, be warned when you buy from eBay or Amazon or anything similar, it is not necessarily a bike shop you are dealing with. The goods may or may not be new, and they may or may not be genuine.

If the seller has no contact information you are left with little in the way of remedy.

The really sad thing about this is that the counterfeit item was as much after shipping as buying a genuine item from a local bike shop.

Ti Bolts

David — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:34:33 +0000

We get asked about switching our standard steel bolts to titanium fairly often. The short answer is, don’t do it. Longer answer below.

Weight is one reason people want to switch. Our new stem bolts now only weigh 3 grams each. The old stem bolts weighed 4.5 grams each. All stem weights have been revised down on our website to reflect this. Ti bolts for our stems weigh 2 grams each. The savings in weight would be 4 grams for an X2, 6 grams for an X4. The retail cost difference would be $40.00 or more. Just simply not worth it.

Both our existing steel seatpost bolts and barrel nuts together weigh 10 grams, you could save at most 3 or 4 grams by switching to Ti. Again, the impact to retail price would be on the order of $35.00+.

All in all the grade 12.9 steel bolts we use are very strong, light and a good value. You gain little by switching to Ti and you will pay quite a bit for the savings. Our steel bolts are also very strong and this buys an extra margin of safety.

If you insist on buying Ti bolts in the aftermarket for our stem or seatpost they must be fully forged with rolled threads. Do not use bolts with cut threads. Seatpost bolts must have the spherical seat to match up with our spherical washer. If you can’t verify the manufacturing method, do not use the bolts.

Ultimately cycling is an aerobic sport. Performance gains will come from fitness, not shaving 4 to 6 grams from a stem or post.

Elite 25.4 Stems

David — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:36:38 +0000

It is more fun to talk about new products than discontinuing parts but that is the subject today. After 11 years we are stopping manufacturing and sale of the Elite 25.4 stems at the end of the year. The reality is that bikes have been sold with 31.8 bars since about 2004. Not only that but a new standard, 35mm bar with 31.8 steerer is being pushed now. This new standard is called “overdrive” by some companies. We need to be ready for the new standard and what may well be the slow move away from 31.8 bars. Fixie riders created a burst in demand for 26.0 and 25.4 stems but companies have reacted and there are now 31.8 fixie bars available. Elite X4, Elite X2, BMX and Direct Mount stems are still being produced and will be for a long time. This only affects the 25.4 handlebar diameter Elite stem.

Dress Up Kits

David — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:05:18 +0000

New pictures of the dress up kits! Thank you Cara Huxley from i-ride.co.uk.

Steel Frames

admin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:47:35 +0000

To avoid seatposts getting stuck in steel frames please note the following:

1. When new and then once yearly, apply frame saver to the inside of a steel frame.

2. Remove, clean and lightly regrease seatpost every 90 days. 30 days if you ride in snow/road salt.

Collar Installation

admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:37:34 +0000

Our seat post collar uses a bolt with a spherical seat and matching washer, just like our seat posts. If you install the washer upside sown by mistake the collar will squeak badly, this will likely lead to over-tightening in attempt to kill the squeak. It also makes it impossible to set the torque correctly as the washer is collapsing under the bolt head as you tighten. This will cause the collar to fail as it will get “stretched” to the point of failure. Do not try to fix a squeak with torque, diagnose the problem.

One other note. Make sure the collar fully seats on the top of the seat tube. If the collar is touching the top tube/seat tube junction and you can feel a gap between the top of the seat tube and the inside of the beauty ring on the collar, that may lead to squeaking, slipping or shorter collar life.

Bike Wash

admin — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:22:59 +0000

Do not use high pH cleaners on aluminum bicycle parts. Simple Green is a popular example of a high pH cleaner but there are others. If you have used a high pH cleaner thoroughly rinse your bike with water. Several bike brands such as Finish Line and Pro Gold make bike wash that is safe for both aluminum and carbon parts. Soap and water works as well. High pH cleaners are corrosive to aluminum and corrosion can greatly shorten the life of your components. If you do not know the pH of the cleaner you are using, don’t use it.

Feats of Strength

admin — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:14:34 +0000

Seatpost crushed in work stand is something we used to see once every 90 days or so. Lately we are seeing posts crushed in workstands on a weekly basis. A few obvious points:

It takes and immense amount of force to crush a seatpost in a workstand.
That’s not a warranty item.
If you were to apply the same force to your frame, it would also be crushed (ruined).

If you use a workstand with a lever, two fingers is all you need to close the bike into the stand.

I can only imagine this happens pulling a stubborn bottom bracket. If so use penetrating oil, at Thomson we like Kroil but your local hardware or auto parts store has many good choices.